Saturday's gossip column: Football transfers & rumours

For a list of confirmed transfers, check out our transfers page.

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester United are considering a move for Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric, 27, now that their pursuit of Cesc Fabregas has come to an end.

Full story: the Guardian

Barcelona expect defender David Luiz, 26, to tell Chelsea on Monday that he wants to move to the Spanish giants. Barca had an opening bid for the Brazil international rejected last week.

Full story: Daily Mail

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has questioned whether Tottenham winger Gareth Bale, 24, is worth £86m,

Full story: the Independent

Luis Suarez, 26, has delayed putting in a transfer request to force a move from Liverpool, and is refusing to apologise as he believes he was promised a summer transfer away from Anfield.

Full story: the Guardian

Spurs target Pjanic previously excelled in the Champions League for Lyon, reaching the semi-finals in 2010

Manchester City could sell defensive midfielder Gareth Barry, 32, and winger Scott Sinclair, 24, next week after they were left behind in England when the squad travelled to Helsinki for a weekend friendly against Arsenal.

Full story: Daily Mail

Tottenham have made an approach to Roma to sign £15m-rated midfielder Miralem Pjanic, 23.

Full story: Daily Mirror

West Ham are close to agreeing a £6m deal for Liverpool winger Stewart Downing, 29.

Full story: Daily Telegraph

Hull and Sunderland are competing for the signature of Tottenham midfielder Tom Huddlestone. The 26-year-old is being valued at £5m.

Full story: Daily Mail

Tottenham have rejected claims that Barcelona have made a bid for defender Jan Vertonghen, 26.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Sunderland have had a loan bid rejected for Panathinaikos winger Charis Mavrias, 19.

Full story: Daily Mail

Sunderland want to sign Mavrias as a replacement for James McClean, who has joined Wigan

Newcastle will only sell 27-year-old France international midfielder Yohan Cabaye if they receive an "astronomical" offer.

Full story: Evening Chronicle

Southampton striker Billy Sharp, 27, would be interested in a move to Celtic.

Full story: Daily Star

Everton manager Roberto Martinez will have to compete with Bordeaux if he is to succeed in being reunited with Wigan wide man Jean Beausejour, 29, at Goodison Park.

Full story: Daily Express

OTHER GOSSIP

Chelsea could start the season without 35-year-old midfielder Frank Lampard, defender David Luiz and 25-year-old playmaker Juan Mata. The trio are all struggling for match fitness ahead of the Stamford Bridge side's Premier League opener against Hull City.

Derry made 18 Premier League appearances last season.

Full story: the Guardian

Wayne Rooney has thanked England boss Roy Hodgson for his international call-up for next week's friendly with Scotland. The 27-year-old striker has not featured for Manchester United's first team in pre-season, and has been the subject of two failed bids from Chelsea.

Full story: Wayne Rooney's Facebook page

West Brom's Scotland international midfielder James Morrison, 27, turned his back on the chance to play for England because he did not believe he was good enough.

Full story: the Sun (subscription required)

Jamie Carragher believes his former team-mate Luis Suarez is too good for Liverpool and Arsenal.

Full story: Daily Mail

Shaun Derry has accused a section of his former QPR team-mates of failing to earn their wages last season. The 35-year-old midfielder has joined Millwall on a two-month loan deal.

Full story: the Sun (subscription required)

AND FINALLY

Dutch top-flight side NEC Nijmegen will reward their man-of-the-match winner next season by giving them a car wash by three bikini-clad blonde women.

Full story: the Independent

Ian Holloway's plans for Crystal Palace's return to the Premier League have been hampered by the club's kit not turning up on time and the grass at Selhurst Park being laid too late.

Full story: Daily Mirror